How do I retrain my horse to canter?

Answer by  zori (63)

Start retraining the canter on a lunge line, so as to allow the horse to develop the muscles required to maintain the canter first riderless, before re-introducing the canter under saddle. After the horse comfortably lunges at the canter, prepare yourself to retrain the canter under saddle by reviewing your canter departure skill set.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

You can start with groundwork. Put your horse on a lunge line and watch your horse canter. Once you feel he is doing well then ride him.

Answer by  MrsShannonHarrell (768)

Begin with ground work. Get your horse fit to trot on the lunge line. Keep sessions short, reward proper responses with praise and a break. As the horse gets more fit, begin to up the pressure and add in cues to signify a canter- say horse's name, make a kiss sound, and say "Canter!" Up energy levels. Praise when correct.

Answer by  MrsShannonHarrell (768)

Go back to ground work- get horse comfortable with walking and trotting on command. Move from a trot to canter with new cue, and repeat often until smooth.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

Start with lunge lines in the round pen or a large open area. Do a tune up on all of her groundwork including things like walking, trotting and yielding. When you're done with the tune up then go on to cantering her on the lunge line. Make sure she's on the right lead. When that's done try it in saddle.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

Start with lots of ground work and lunging. Make sure the horse gets on the proper lead before moving to saddle work.

Answer by  karebeer (429)

You should just pull back if the horse is running or if the horse is in a trot then get the horse up to a canter then hold that position!